Rediscover the Say ‘thank you’ in 6 steps
art
Most employers are concerned motivated you are to do the job.
of about three things when Finally, they are checking to see
saying
interviewing candidates, according if you will get along within the
to Sandy Cropper, principal of organization,” she said. “A
Human Capital Consulting. thank-you note is a resource
“They are trying to determine to the employer, helping them
your qualifications for the position. get to know you and your
Employers want to know how qualifications better.”
a handwritten thank-you has the most
By Deb Brandt Buehler
impact, especially if you send it within To write a successful thank-you note, follow these guidelines:
For Custom Publications
24 hours of the interview.”
Being timely is another opportunity ■ Before putting ■ Develop your ■ Respect the time
Many people learned to write thank-you pen to paper, take comments the interviewer
notes early in life. For kids, sending thank- to make a positive impression. It’s a way
to demonstrate your prompt a few moments around your and staff put into
you notes to aunts, uncles and grandparents to compose your interview meeting with you.
might have been the unexpected follow-up follow-through.
Interviews conducted by a panel or letter in your mind. experience.
to birthdays and holidays.
What began as a childhood practice of team are increasingly common. In this case, ■ Engage the ■ Put the thank- ■ If you use your
expressing gratitude remains relevant today. you should write a thank-you note to each reader with you note in computer to write
even if
After a job interview, a thank-you note is a person on the panel. Individualize the notes something direct the mail within a thank-you note,
you aren’t
powerful way to leave a positive impression. by making them slightly different from one and specific about 24 hours. use a nonstandard
continuing.
Thank-you notes have many roles, another. the experience. typeface.
Cropper suggests
including expressing your appreciation for “It takes time to write a thoughtfully
declining by phone
the interviewer’s time. worded note,” Cropper said, “but it also Here’s a good example:
and following up with a
“Use the thank-you note to reinforce the demonstrates your level of interest in
handwritten note. Dear Ms. James,
unique qualities you bring to the position,” the position.”
Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the
said Sandy Cropper, principal of Human Handling rejection well position of administrator. I appreciate the time you
Capital Consulting, a human resource Oops ... “In these busy times, I encourage spent sharing the position’s description and
consulting firm. “Reinforce the strength of If you fumble an interview, a well-written candidates to send a thank-you for a responsibilities.
your candidacy in the content note can help you recover. rejection letter, too,” Waidner said. “It’s a As we discussed, my experience managing
of your note.” “A thank-you note is a great place to great way to follow up and demonstrate diverse groups of employees will be an
Because interviewers might see several recover from an interview mistake,” Cropper continued interest. I’ve had candidates get a asset to your company. I’m very excited
candidates in one day, Cropper said, prompt, said. “A client of mine made an error during good response from this strategy.” about this opportunity and believe that
direct and specific thank-you notes help an interview. In her excitement about the Thank-notes are relevant following my experience and mediation skills
them remember you. opportunity and nervousness to do well, a networking or information-gathering make me an excellent candidate.
she had given a wrong answer. At first she meeting as well. A hand-written note is an I enjoyed meeting your team and
Two simple words thought she’d blown it. She recovered by excellent way to show appreciation for the appreciated their questions for me.
“Keep it simple,” advised Patrice Waidner, acknowledging her mistake [and providing knowledge and expertise someone shared I look forward to getting to know
workshop facilitator for Workforce One the correct answer] in a thank-you note. ... with you. everyone better. Thank you
in Fishers. “Remind the interviewer of Her strategy paid off, and she was offered “Because so few people write again for your time.
your conversation by using an example the position.” handwritten notes, they can really make
of something that caught his or her During the interview process, you might you stand out,” Cropper noted. “It is worth Respectfully,
attention. This strategy demonstrates your decide to decline the position or withdraw the effort.” ● Jane Henry
attentiveness during the interview. Sending altogether. A thank-you note is appropriate File Photos